Obituary of Glen A Habegger

Glen Arthur Habegger was born on March 8,1925 to David and Barbara Habegger of Berne, Indiana. His parents lived on a farm, and his father was a line inspector for Marathon Oil. Glen's first language was Swiss German. When he attended first grade in a one room school house, he was firmly disciplined for not responding to his teacher in English. The second year of first grade, Glen was very fluent in English! Glen had three siblings: Merlin, Donna Mae, and Anna Jane. All of them attended church and Sunday school at the First Mennonite Church in Berne, Indiana. He accepted Jesus as his Savior when he was 11 years old. When Glen was 15 years old, his father died from pancreatic cancer. As a widow, Barbara worked in a local hatchery washing eggs. During his high school years, Glen was drafted for military service. He chose to serve in civilian public service as an alternative, because of his Mennonite faith. He was assigned to Gulfport, Mississippi and helped many local families by building outhouses. During his time there he ate enough shrimp to last him for the rest of his life! Later, Glen was transferred to a mountainous region of California, where he served as a fire fighter. When Glen returned to Indiana three years later, his high school class had already graduated. He enrolled in G.E. D. classes and then attended Bethel College for one year. The following year he transferred to Grace Bible Institute. In the summer he worked on a paint crew with Paul Liechty, who would become his future brother in law. Paul offered to give Glen piano lessons in his home, where he met a lovely young lady named Ruth. They were married on August 1, 1948, and enjoyed 53 years together! Ruth and Glen attended Grace Bible Institute together. Their first daughter, Rachel Joy, died during Ruth's long and difficult labor. A year later, Jonathan Paul was born! Ruth and Glen prayed for God's guidance regarding ministry with the Mennonite Church. When Jon was 8 months old, they moved to Friendly Corner, 10 miles from Eloy, Arizona. Volunteers assisted Glen in the building of a chapel and a laundry room for their family. Their ministry to migrant farm workers and farming families was ready to begin. Jon can remember the children's Bible classes that his parents taught outdoors. Glen and Ruth set up a large piece of cardboard under a shade tree, and the children were gathered to sing, pray and hear Bible lessons each time they met. Ruth provided cookies and lemonade for snack time. They traveled to many migrant camps. On Sundays, the children and parents who wanted to attend church were given a ride in the family car. Each year they had a fun vacation Bible school. Their chapel and yard were packed with children having a joyful time! Jon recalls that his parents also took time to personally visit many families and share the gospel message with them. Glen and Ruth continued to take personal time to teach new believers in their fellowship. Glen served as the pastor of Friendly Corner Chapel for 26 years. During this time he had several part time jobs, as a rural postal carrier and a substitute school teacher. In 1980, they closed their ministry there and continued to serve the Lord in Tucson, their new home. Ruth transferred to a Tucson position with DES, and Glen continued to work as a rural postal carrier. Their new church home was Shalom Mennonite Fellowship. Glen served as the adult Sunday school teacher and a church leader in his church for many years. He was a Bible teacher in the Pima County jail and loved to teach his friends who were inmates. Glen and Ruth practiced Christian hospitality and opened their home weekly for a small group Bible study. Glen was a Deuteronomy, chapter 6 man. He loved the Lord with all of his heart, his soul, his mind and his strength. He loved to read God's Word and pray each day. He taught his son and grandchildren to love and serve the Lord in all the everyday activities of life. When Jon made the decision to serve God as the director of Child Evangelism Fellowship, Glen and Ruth offered their immediate blessing, their encouragement, prayers and support. Glen was a loving grandpa who gave wise, godly advice to his children and grandchildren, Andy and Peter. He took time to play with them and to teach them about Jesus. He dearly loved his daughter in law, Barbara, and his granddaughters, in law, Jeannie and Joy, as well as his great grandsons, Joshua and Isaiah. Faithfulness is a character quality that sums up Glen's life. He knew his faithful God. Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22,23) In every trial of his life, Glen's faith stood firm. He finished the race that the Lord had for him, serving God and others faithfully until the end of his life. We rejoice that Glen is now in the presence of his Savior! Our family wants to express our special thanks to Dorothy Berry, who served as Glen's caregiver the last 2 years of his life. Dad affectionately referred to Dorothy as "my mom", because of the loving care she provided at O Be Joyful. Glen's memorial service will be at Northwest Bible Church, 889 W. Chapala Drive on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers please send memorial gifts to Child Evangelism Fellowship, POBox 12012, Tucson, Az. 85732 or to Northwest Bible Church.